Method and apparatus for vehicular light fixtures

Abstract

A terrain viewing apparatus is provided to enable greater viewability of environmental conditions around a vehicle. A housing of the terrain viewing apparatus may include a lighting apparatus for emitting light and illuminating environmental conditions during nighttime, dusk, or adverse weather conditions. The housing may further include a reflecting apparatus to increase an operator's ability to view environmental conditions outside the vehicle. One or more joints may enable the housing to be adjustable with respect to the vehicle. An internal joint may enable the reflecting apparatus to be adjustable with respect to the housing. The lighting apparatus may receive power from the vehicle. The lighting and reflecting apparatuses may be electrically coupled to the vehicle and may be controllable therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A terrain viewing apparatus, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a lighting apparatus on a first side of the housing; 
 a reflecting apparatus on a second side of the housing and connected to the housing by a first joint; 
 a mounting apparatus coupled to the housing, the mounting apparatus configured to mount around a bar of a vehicle; and 
 a second joint coupled between the housing and the mounting apparatus and configured to enable movement of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus; 
 wherein the first joint is configured to enable movement of the reflecting apparatus independently of the housing and lighting apparatus. 
 
     
     
       2. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second joint enables yaw and roll rotation of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus. 
     
     
       3. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the lighting apparatus emits light from one or more LEDs which receive regulated power from one or more printed circuit board assemblies. 
     
     
       4. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more LEDs are operable in one or more operational groups, and each operational group may be operated independently, collectively, or intermittently. 
     
     
       5. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a first operational group of LEDs may emit light into a first direction substantially forwardly of the vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a second operational group of LEDs may emit light into a second direction substantially non-forwardly of the vehicle. 
     
     
       7. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reflecting apparatus includes one or more mirrors. 
     
     
       8. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the one or more mirrors is convex. 
     
     
       9. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second joint is configured to enable pitch rotation of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus. 
     
     
       10. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second joint includes a first element rotatable with respect to a second element about a first axis. 
     
     
       11. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second joint includes a first element, a second element, and a third element, wherein the first element is rotatable with respect to the third element about a first axis, and wherein the second element is rotatable with respect to the third element about a second axis non-linear with the first axis. 
     
     
       12. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a third joint coupled between the housing and the mounting apparatus and configured to enable movement of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus. 
     
     
       13. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the third joint is configured to enable yaw rotation of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus. 
     
     
       14. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint is an interior joint which is configured to enable the reflecting apparatus to be rotated in a pitch and a yaw rotation with respect to the housing and lighting apparatus. 
     
     
       15. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint comprises a first curved element and a second curved element, wherein the first curved element and the second curved element are configured to enable yaw rotation of the reflecting apparatus with respect to the housing and lighting apparatus. 
     
     
       16. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first joint further comprises a third curved element configured to interact with the second curved element and secure the second curved element in place. 
     
     
       17. A terrain viewing apparatus coupled to a vehicle, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a lighting apparatus coupled on a first side of the housing; 
 a first operational group of LEDs configured on the lighting apparatus to emit light into a first direction substantially forwardly of the vehicle; 
 a second operational group of LEDs configured on the lighting apparatus to emit light into a second direction substantially non-forwardly of the vehicle; and 
 a reflecting apparatus coupled on a second side of the housing and connected to the housing by a first joint 
 a mounting apparatus coupled to the housing; 
 a second joint between the housing and the mounting apparatus and configured to enable movement of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus; 
 wherein the second joint include a first element, a second element, and a third element, wherein the first element is rotatable with respect to the third element about a first axis, and wherein the second element is rotatable with respect to the third element about a second axis non-linear with the first axis to enable yaw and roll rotation of the housing with respect to the mounting apparatus. 
 
     
     
       18. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the third element is substantially wedge shaped. 
     
     
       19. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a fastener configured to hold the first element, second element, and third element in frictional engagement. 
     
     
       20. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the lighting apparatus comprises at least two fins configured to dissipate heat away from the lighting apparatus. 
     
     
       21. The terrain viewing apparatus of claim of  claim 18 , further comprising a spring and a fastener, wherein the spring and fastener are configured to secure the first cam surface in frictional engagement against the second cam surface. 
     
     
       22. The terrain viewing apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a third joint coupled between the housing and the mounting apparatus and configured to enable movement of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus. 
     
     
       23. A terrain viewing apparatus, comprising
 a housing; 
 a lighting apparatus on a first side of the housing; 
 a reflecting apparatus on a second side of the housing and connected to the housing by a first joint; 
 a mounting apparatus coupled to the housing, the mounting apparatus configured to mount on a vehicle; and 
 a second joint coupled between the housing and the mounting apparatus and configured to enable movement of the housing and lighting apparatus with respect to the mounting apparatus; 
 wherein the first joint is configured to enable movement of the reflecting apparatus independently of the housing and lighting apparatus; and 
 wherein the second joint has a first cam surface affixed to the housing which contacts a second cam affixed to the mounting apparatus and the first and second cam surfaces are spherical and enable rotation of the housing and lighting apparatus in three rotational degrees of freedom relative to the mounting apparatus.